Hot Fun In The Summertime

Summer is the time of year when plenty of families get together, go on vacation and take a break from everyday life. If you’re looking for something new to do one weekend, just head south to Orlando to check out the newest attractions at some of our area’s favorite theme parks.

Conquering Kong

Universal Orlando Resort has announced a new attraction opening this summer at Islands of Adventure. Skull Island: Reign of Kong will be an epic expedition through the realm of King Kong in the 1930s, where the mission is to discover new creatures and their mysterious origins. Guests will encounter an underworld of caves, prehistoric beasts, ancient temples and vicious natives on this multi-sensory, 3-D ride. universalorlando.com

Can You Manage Mako?

SeaWorld Orlando unveiled their new hypercoaster, Mako, in June. Named after one of the fastest sharks in the ocean, Mako is Orlando’s longest, fastest and tallest roller coaster. With 4,760 feet of track and a crest of 200 feet, this new coaster moves at a swift 73mph and will make riders feel as though they are flying through the air with the same agility as that of the apex predator the ride is named after. seaworldparks.com

Fear The Cobra

Tampa Bay’s Busch Gardens’ Cobra’s Curse spin coaster also opened in June. With a maximum speed of 40mph, the ride unfolds in chapters, telling the story of the Snake King. First, riders will be facing forward and then be turned backward for the second segment. For the final third of the ride, you’ll free spin into a frenzy. And a fun tidbit: The air-conditioned (woohoo!) queue line features an exhibit with live snakes, interactive elements and projection mapping technology to tell the ride’s story. seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-tampa

Frozen & Fabulous

The Disney blockbuster Frozen hasn’t lost any of its coolness factor since being released several years ago, and we’ve been eagerly awaiting the opening of this boat ride at Disney’s Epcot ever since it was first announced. Frozen Ever After opened in June in the pavilion that once housed the Maelstrom ride. This family-friendly ride features everyone’s favorite characters and music from the film. New projection technology makes the experience feel very life-like as guests explore Arendelle. disneyworld.disney.go.com

Explore The Springs

If you still have some energy after a hot day in the parks, head to the newly dubbed Disney Springs for some nighttime fun with the fam. Formerly known as Downtown Disney, the area features an abundance of great shops, restaurants and live entertainment offerings to explore. Some of our favorites include The Boathouse, a new upscale restaurant, and the Amphicar. This iconic vehicle drives on land and floats in the water and is the perfect way for guests to enjoy a special journey around Disney Springs. Other classics include Cirque du Soleil (get your tickets early) and Disney Quest, a five-story interactive, indoor (think air-conditioned!) theme park and arcade that will be closing soon to make way for an NBA-themed attraction. disneysprings.com